Alaska’s U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, along with California Congresswoman Jackie Speier have sent a letter to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth calling the Army out to do more to address the high rates of service member deaths by suicide in Alaska and to take comprehensive actions to change the current trajectory.
The letter to Secretary Wormuth asks for the Army’s plans to address several areas of concern based on observations and extensive feedback from service members and civilians in Alaska, including:
- Incentivizing service in Alaska and improving the process to assign soldiers to Alaska installations,
- Offering timely access to behavioral health services,
- Addressing financial pressures on junior enlisted soldiers,
- Mitigating lack of sunlight and Vitamin D deficiency for soldiers assigned to Alaska,
- Better preparing soldiers and their dependents for living in Alaska, and
- Increasing quality of life for stationed soldiers through housing and transportation improvements.
Sen. Dan Sullivan said:
“It is a tragedy that the scourge of suicide disproportionately harms Alaska’s military service members and their families. Alaska is home to thousands of military service members and more veterans per capita than any other state. But along with that proud distinction, our state also has horrifically high rates of military suicide. As a Marine, I have seen firsthand what happens when service members suffering from a mental health crisis do not receive help. Even when a service member musters the courage to seek help, it can take 60 days to actually see a professional—and, as we’re seeing, these brave Americans rarely have 60 days. I want to thank Congresswoman Speier and Secretary Wormuth for joining me in Alaska to hear from our soldiers directly. I will continue to fight to keep this issue front-and-center for our service members, for the families who have suffered the unbearable pain of suicide, and for our future generations. Ensuring our service members and their families have access to the resources and support they need to improve their mental health and prevent suicide will continue to be one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. One life lost is one too many.”
Rep. Speier said:
“The epidemic of military suicides across America cries out for immediate action, especially in Alaska where twice as many servicemembers died in 2021 compared to 2020. I have spoken previously with the spouses and parents of servicemembers who have died by suicide there, as well as other servicemembers and behavioral health care providers overwhelmed with demand in the region. And I will travel to Alaska later this month, joining Senator Sullivan to review the situation on the ground as part of a congressional delegation. There are reforms that we can make to fix this, but to do so we must understand clearly what challenges exist and where action must be taken. There is nothing like talking directly to the servicemembers, face to face, to find solutions. We must do this to ensure our servicemembers are getting what they need to stop this senseless loss of lives.”
Click here for a copy of the letter.